认知行为治疗改善精神分裂症患者生活质量的随机单盲对照试验

目的:探讨认知行为治疗对精神分裂症患者生活质量的效果及相关因素,为寻找有效改善精神分裂症患者生活质量的方法提供依据。方法:本研究为单盲随机对照临床试验。选取符合美国精神障碍诊断与统计手册第4版(DSM-IV)中精神分裂症诊断标准的医院门诊和住院患者共120例,随机分配到认知行为治疗组(CBT组,n=60)和支持性心理治疗组(ST组,n=60),在药物治疗基础上分别接受15次认知行为治疗和支持性心理治疗。在基线采用世界卫生组织生存质量量表简表(WHOQOL-BREF)、阳性和阴性症状量表(PANSS)、应付方式问卷(CSQ)、非理性信念量表(IBS)及自编药物副反应问卷对两组患者进行盲法评定。第12周、24周采用WHOQOL-BREF和自编药物副反应问卷对患者进行随访评估。结果:第12周,CBT组患者WHOQOL-BREF总分各因子分均高于基线[(77.0±13.9)vs.(73.1±13.8),(22.4±4.5)vs.(21.5±4.7),(18.9±4.1)vs.(17.8±4.3),(9.3±2.2)vs.(8.9±2.3),(26.4±5.0)vs.(24.7±5.3),均P0.05],而ST组患者仅环境因子有显著改善[(23.9±4.7)vs.(25.0±5.2),P0.05],其余因子差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。第24周,两组在WHOQOL-BREF的社会关系和环境因子分上组间效应显著(F=6.77,7.21,均P0.05),CBT组得分均高于ST组。Logis-tic回归分析发现,基线应对方式分数较低、接受CBT及男性对患者的生活质量有正性预测作用(B=-0.25,2.31,-1.64,均P0.05)。结论:认知行为治疗能够有效改善精神分裂症患者的生活质量,且基线应对方式得分相对更低、能接受认知行为治疗及男性患者更容易从治疗中获得生活质量的改善。     

对首发精神分裂症康复期患者实施认知行为干预的效果观察

目的 探讨对首发精神分裂症康复期患者实施认知行为干预(CBT)的效果.方法 将60例首发精神分裂症康复期患者随机分为研究组(n=30)和对照组(n=30),研究组在精神科护理常规的基础上行CBT8周.干预前后分别对两 组患者用症状自评量表(SCL-90)评定心理健康状况.结果 干预后研究组SCL-90评分较干预前明显降低,差异有显著性意义(P＜0.01);治疗后研究组除偏执、精神病性外SCL-90评分低于对照组,差异有显著性意义(P＜0.01).结论 CBT可提高首发精神分裂症康复期患者的心理健康水平,提高治疗依从性.     

认知行为治疗对社区精神分裂症患者的疗效

目的:探讨认知行为治疗对社区精神分裂症患者的短期和长期疗效。方法:本研究为一项随机对照临床试验,纳入符合ICD-10精神分裂症诊断标准的患者32例,随机分成两组,分别接受常规治疗(TAU组,n=16)和常规治疗联合认知行为治疗(CBT组,n=16)。采用阳性与阴性症状量表(PANSS)和临床大体印象量表(CGI)于基线和治疗结束时分别对两组患者进行评定,并随访评估其半年和一年疗效。结果:112周、38周和64周时,CBT组PANSS总分显著低于TAU组(t=-2.174,-2.187,-3.256;P0.05);2在38周和64周时,CBT组阳性症状量表得分显著低于TAU组(t=-2.564,-2.146;P0.05);3在38周和64周时,CBT组一般精神病理症状量表分显著低于TAU组(P0.05);4CBT组的1年随访复发率显著低于TAU组(P0.025),而有效率显著高于TAU组(60.0%VS.20.0%,P=0.039)。结论:认知行为治疗可改善社区精神分裂症患者的症状及病情严重程度,尤其是阳性症状与焦虑抑郁等一般精神病理症状,降低复发率。     

大学生乐观人格与应对方式的关系

目的:探讨大学生乐观人格与应对方式的关系。方法:采用生活定向测验(LOT-R)与应对方式问卷(CSQ)对某高校314名大学生进行问卷调查。结果:1大学生乐观人格在生源地、是否独生子女、是否贫困生等方面不存在显著性差异(P0.05);在性别(t=4.315,P0.01)和年级(F=4.013,P0.01)上存在显著性差异;2乐观者在乐观因子、解决问题、求助上显著高于悲观者,悲观者在悲观因子、自责、退避和合理化上显著高于乐观者;3乐观人格与成熟积极的应对方式(解决问题、求助)呈显著正相关,与不成熟消极的应对方式(自责、退避、合理化)呈显著负相关;4幻想是大学生普遍的应对方式。结论:大学生的乐观人格特质对应对方式具有显著影响。     

自我效能感与高中生应对方式及抑郁情绪

目的 探讨高中生自我效能感、应对方式和抑郁情绪之间的关系.方法 采用自我效能感量表(GSES)、应付方式问卷和抑郁自评量表(SDS)对386名高中生进行问卷调查.结果 ①高中男生的GSES得分显著高于高中女生(t=2.550,P＜0.05);高三学生应对因子解决问题的得分显著高于高一和高二学生(F=3.173,P＜0.05);②高中生GSES得分与应对因子解决问题、求助有显著正相关(r1=0.393,P1＜0.01;r2=0.149,P2＜0.01),与自责有显著负相关(r=-0.149,P＜0.01),与SDS得分有显著负相关(r=-0.338,P＜0.001);③GSES得分高与GSES得分低的高中生在应对因子解决问题、自责、退避和SDS的得分上有差异显著(t1 =-7.695,t2=3.472,t3=-3.258,t4=6.800).结论 高中男生的自我效能感显著高于高中女生;高中女生更多使用求助应对方式;自我效能感高、更多使用积极应对方式的高中生,抑郁水平较低.     

大学生人际信任与应对方式对社交回避的影响

目的:探讨人际信任和应对方式对大学生社交回避的影响。方法:采用人际信任量表(ITS)、应对方式问卷(CSQ)和社交回避及苦恼量表(SAD)对302名大学生进行问卷调查。结果:(1)人际信任与社交回避显著负相关(r=-0.204,P0.001),与应对方式中自责、幻想、退避和合理化因子显著负相关(r=-0.209,-0.156,-0.212,-0.120;P0.05),与问题解决、求助因子显著正相关(r=0.319,0.248;P0.001);问题解决和求助因子与社交回避呈显著负相关(r=-0.322,-0.302;P0.001),自责(r=0.309,P0.001)、幻想(r=0.132,P0.05)、退避(r=0.215,P0.001)和合理化(r=0.132,P0.05)因子与社交回避呈显著正相关;(2)问题解决(t=-4.975,P0.001)、求助(t=-4.761,P0.001)、自责(t=5.003,P0.001)和退避(t=3.159,P0.01)因子在人际信任与社交回避的关系中起部分中介作用。结论:人际信任一方面会对社交回避产生直接的影响,另一方面也通过问题解决、求助、自责和退避应对方式的中介作用间接地影响社交回避。     

The Relationship between Family Function and Coping Style,Social Support of Nurses

目的 探讨护士家庭功能与社会支持、应对方式的相互关系.方法 用家庭功能(FAD)、社会支持量表(SSRS)和应对方式问卷(CSQ)对某医院的护士进行调查.结果 家庭功能各维度均处于一个较好的水平,分值在2.08～2.38之间；家庭功能中的问题解决、沟通、总的功能与应对方式中的解决问题存在显著的负相关(r=-0.15,-0.19,-0.16；P＜0.05)；角色、情感反应、情感介入、总的功能与自责存在显著的正相关(r=0.26,0.19,0.18,0.15；P＜0.05)；沟通、角色、情感反应、总的功能与求助因子存在显著的负相关(r =-0.34,-0.28,-0.22,-0.35；P＜0.01)；问题解决、沟通、总的功能3因子与积极应对存在显著的负相关(r=-0.20,-0.28,-0.25；P＜0.01)；角色、情感反应、情感介入3因子与消极应对因子存在显著的正相关(r=0.23,0.15,0.26；P＜0.05)；沟通、角色、情感反应、情感介入、总的功能与对支持的利用度存在显著的负相关(r=-0.28,-0.27,-0.23,-0.24,-0.37；P＜0.01)；回归分析表明,对支持的利用度和求助可以显著地预测整个家庭功能(F=12.58,P=0.00).结论 护士家庭功能与社会支持及应对方式有显著的相关,对支持的利用度和求助2个因子对整个家庭功能状况有一定程度的预测作用.     

认知行为训练改善大学生自我概念和应对方式实验研究

目的 探讨认知行为训练对大学生自我概念和应对方式改善的积极影响.方法 采用随机法选取某高校106名大学生进行调查和实验研究.结果 ①实验组实验前后在个人自我(t=-2.675,P＜0.01)、社会自我(t=-2.444,P＜0.05)、理想自我(t=-2.221,P＜0.05)、自我概念总均分(t=-3.706,P＜0.001)、解决问题(t=-7.760,P＜0.001)、求助(t=-6.475,P＜0.001)和应对方式总均分(t=-6.187,P＜0.001)上存在显著性差异;在自责、幻想、退避和合理化因子上差异不显著,对照组前后测无显著性差异;②用差值方式进一步检验研究结论发现,实验前后实验组和对照组差值在个人自我(t=2.368,P＜0.05)、理想自我(t=2.079,P＜0.05)、自我概念总均分(t=2.566,P＜0.05)、解决问题(t=4.977,P＜0.001)、求助(t=4.957,P＜0.001)和应对方式总均分差值(t=5.421,P＜0.001)上存在显著性差异;在社会自我、自责、幻想、退避和合理化差值上差异不显著;③在家庭结构差异上,在个人自我(t=2.701,P＜0.01)、自我概念均分差值(t=-2.8684,P＜0.01)上存在显著的家庭结构差异;在其他因子及总均分差值上无显著家庭结构差异.结论 认知行为训练能提高大学生的自我概念及应对方式.     

团体认知行为治疗对首发精神分裂症缓解期康复的影响

目的:探究团体认知行为治疗对首发精神分裂症缓解期患者康复的影响。方法:将126例首发精神分裂症缓解期患者分为研究组61例和对照组52例,研究组给予团体认知行为治疗。在干预前后分别进行自动思维问卷(ATQ)、症状自评量表(SCL-90)、领悟社会支持量表(PSSS)和应付方式问卷(CSQ)的评估。结果:①干预后研究组的ATQ评分明显低于对照组(t=-2.5914,P=0.0107);②干预后研究组的躯体化(t=-1.9983,P=0.0479)、人际关系敏感(t=-3.1662,P=0.0020)、抑郁(t=-3.0518,P=0.0028)、焦虑(t=-3.5234,P=0.0006)4个因子评分和SCL-90总分(t=-3.5429,P=0.0006)明显低于对照组;③干预后研究组的家庭支持(t=4.1017,P=0.0001)、朋友支持(t=2.6169,P=0.0100)、其他支持(t=2.0738,P=0.0402)和总分(t=3.0232,P=0.0031)均明显高于对照组;④干预后研究组在解决问题(t=2.3990,P=0.0180)、求助(t=2.2410,P=0.0268)因子的评分及成熟应对评分(t=2.3214,P=0.0219)明显高于对照组,自责评分明显低于对照组(t=-2.0490,P=0.0426);⑤干预前后的ATQ评分差值对SCL-90总分差值(P=0.005)、PSSS总分差值(P=0.012)和成熟应对评分差值(P=0.032)、不成熟应对评分差值(P=0.044)起中介效应。结论:团体认知行为治疗可以改善患者负性自动思维,进而改善患者的心身症状、社会支持和应对方式。     

精神分裂症患者生活质量与应对方式的关系

目的探讨精神分裂症患者生活质量与应对方式的关系。方法选取符合美国精神疾病诊断与统计手册第4版(DSM-IV)中精神分裂症诊断标准的医院门诊和住院患者共175例。采用世界卫生组织生存质量测定量表简表(WHOQOL-BREF)和应对方式问卷(CSQ)对患者进行评估。结果生活质量的生理、心理、社会关系、环境4个因子及总分与应对方式中的问题解决呈显著正相关(r=0.41,0.51,0.37,0.34,0.49;P<0.001),与自责呈显著负相关(r=-0.36,-0.44,-0.32,-0.21,-0.38;P<0.01),与回避呈显著负相关(r=-0.16,-0.19,-0.18,-0.16,-0.20;P<0.05);问题解决和自责两种应对方式能够很好地预测精神分裂症患者的生活质量(F=39.68,P=0.00)。结论精神分裂症患者的生活质量与应对方式关系密切,且问题解决和自责两种应对方式可作为生活质量的预测指标。     

The universal muscular chain reaction,muscle spasm,Torsions, ruptures and extravasations. Chameleons of pathology and some manifestations of simple muscular disorders

Most bodily functions require the coordinated actions of complementary and supplementary paired muscle groups. Where this essential muscular cooperation is lacking, hollow organs may burst and others become literally screwed up, giving rise to many similar spastic diseases such as Torticollis, Twisted ovarian cyst, Torsion of the Testis, Volvulus of the intestines, Varicose Veins, Megacolon, Aortamegaly, Scoliosis, Erb's Palsy, Peyronie's Disease, Main-en-Griffe, Undescended Foot (Pes Cavus), Talipes, Strabismus. Spasm is “panenepidemic” and unclassified examples of Torsion Dystonia and Dyskinesia really are as common as debt and taxes.     

Studien zur humoralen Regulation des erythropoetischen Proliferationsspeichers beim Menschen

Zusammenfassung Die Beeinflussung der Erythroblasten-Proliferation durch das Mikromilieu wurde in vitro mittels Auswertung durch Differential- und Mitosezählungen und Signifikanzberechnung vieler Versuchsreihen auch unter verschiedenen pathologischen Bedingungen getestet.Sowohl die Mitosehäufigkeit wie die Ausreifung waren positiv mit dem Erythropoetingehalt des Medium korreliert. Der Effekt wurde durch Folsäure, Ätiocholanolon und cAMP verstärkt. Cobalt stimulierte ebenso wie Testosteron und Methenolon in vitro unabhängig von der Erythropoetinkonzentration im Medium die Erythroblastenproliferation. Ein vermindertes Eisenangebot störte die endgültige Ausreifung der Erythroblasten zu Retikulozyten und bewirkte dadurch eine Ineffektivität der Erythorpoese. Anhaltspunkte für ein Erythrozyten-Chalon oder einen Erythropoetinhemmkörper ließen sich aus unserem Versuchsansatz nicht gewinnen, weil er die Transformation der pluripotenten in die erythropoetin-sensible Stammzelle nicht einschließt. Als Nebenbefund ergab sich eine Stimulation des granulozytopoetischen Proliferationsspeichers durch Serumzusatz zum Medium von Patienten nach akutem Blutverlust und bei Polycythämia vera.Unterstützt durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft     

HLA study in Amerindian Bolivia La Paz Aymaras

Aymara people has been a relatively homogeneous group since Spanish Conquest by 1,532 CE, even if previously represented a group of various cultural defined populations who gave rise to them. They were and are established in Andean Altiplano around Titikaka Lake (Bolivia, Peru), Argentina and Chile neighborhood, speak Aymara language and have been maintained after Europeans arrival at a lower social status than Quechua (Inca) speaking people. However, both Aymara and Quechua populations acknowledge Titikaka Lake as center of their origins; both languages are also related. Specific high frequencies of HLA-A*02, -A*24 and -A*68, HLA-B*35, -B*39 and -B*48, HLA-DRB1*08:02, -DRB1*09:01, and -DRB1*14:02, and HLA-DQB1*04:02, -DQB1*03:02 and -DQB1*03:01 alleles are found in Aymaras and HLA class II haplotypes common to Andean Amerindians (DRB1*08:02-DQB1*04:02 and DRB1*04:03-DQB1*03:02), like Quechua, Aymara, Uros, Lamas and Mapuche are also found in Easter and other Pacific Islands. Giant human head stone statues at Tiwanaku (Titikaka Lake, Bolivia) are also found at Easter Island. Thus, it is possible a gene and cultural flow between Andean Amerindians and Easter and other Pacific Islands, as it was demonstrated by Thor Heyerdahl in his Kon-Tiki expedition which reached Pacific Islands sailing from El Callao Harbour (Lima, Peru).     

Hypo- und Hypermagnesämie aus kardiologischer Sicht

Zusammenfassung Eine Reihe pathologischer Zustände bedingen Magnesiummangel. Zustände mit Hypermagnesämie sind ebenfalls bekannt, doch wesentlich seltener. Für den Kardiologen beachtenswert ist, daß unter Therapie mit bestimmten Diuretica bei Herzinsuffizienz, bei Herzinfarkt, Kardiomyopathie, Digitalisintoxikation und bestimmten Herzrhythmusstörungen Hypomagnesämie beobachtet wurde. Leider kann in der klinischen Routine nur ein extracelluläres Magnesiumdefizit durch Serumbestimmungen gemessen werden; über Magnesiummangel einzelner Organe kann nichts ausgesagt werden. Hinweise für Magnesiummangel geben aber neben der Messung des Serumspiegels Anamnese, klinischer Befund, bestimmte EKG-Veränderungen wie auch evtl. Hypokalämie, ein Zustand, bei dem sich oft — besonders bei Aldosteronismus — parallele Veränderungen zeigten.Tierexperimente deuten darauf hin, daß infarktähnliche Läsionen unter Magnesiummangel entstehen, doch ob Herzinfarkt beim Menschen durch Magnesiummangel ausgelöst werden kann, ist noch ungeklärt. In Leichenherzen zeigte sich im Infarktgebiet neben Calciumakkumulation signifikanter Magnesiumverlust, wobei unklar blieb, ob sich Ursache oder Folge des Infarktes widerspiegelten. Falls ein ursächlicher Zusammenhang besteht, ist er im Myokardstoffwechsel selbst zu suchen, wie bei der Alkoholkardiomyopathie, wo myokardialer Magnesiummangel zumindest als pathogenetischer Teilfaktor anerkannt wird. Andererseits versucht man aber auch Beziehungen zwischen Atherosklerose, Blutgerinnung und Hypomagnesämie herzustellen, in der Meinung, daß Magnesiummangel auch über den coronaren Pathomechanismus des Herzinfarktes wirken könnte. Sicher scheint, daß gewisse EKG-Veränderungen und Herzrhythmusstörungen durch einen irritierten Magnesiumhaushalt bedingt sein können, da sie bei Gabe bzw. Entzug von Magnesium verschwinden. Daß Magnesiummangel die Glykosidtoleranz verringert, wird tierexperimentell bestätigt. Unter Hypomagnesämie bewirkt Acetylstrophanthidin eher und länger Rhythmusstörungen als ohne, außerdem lassen diese sich durch Magnesiumgaben eliminieren. Da in gewissen Fällen spontane und digitalisinduzierte Herzrythmusstörungen durch Magnesiuminjektionen beseitigt wurden, scheint Magnesium als Therapeuticum angebracht. Einsatz verschiedener Magnesiumsalze bei Angina pectoris, degenerativen Herzerkrankungen und Herzinsuffizienz ohne geprüften und offensichtlich gestörten Magnesiumhaushalt ist fragwürdig, weil keine eindeutigen klinischen Erfolgsbeweise vorliegen. Immerhin mag es aber larvierte, durch Serumbestimmungen nicht erfaßbare Mangelzustände geben. Allgemein erscheint es aus kardiologischer Sicht ratsam, den Magnesiumhaushalt zu überwachen und in entsprechenden Fällen auszugleichen, um möglichen Myokardläsionen oder fatalen Herzrhythmusstörungen entgegenzuwirken.     

Lipid composition of metacestodes of Taenia taeniaeformis and lipid changes during growth

A lipid analysis was performed on developing metacestodes of Taenia taeniaeformis removed from the livers of rats at times varying from 3 to 35 weeks post infection. Lipid accounted for 7–21% of the dry weight of the parasites. The highest proportions were found at the earlier stages. The distribution was as follows; neutral lipid 27–45%; glycolipid 5–11%; and phospholipid 50–61%. The major neutral lipid was cholesterol, and minor neutral lipids were sterol esters, triglycerides, diglycerides and monoglycerides. Hydrocarbons were present throughout development, but in the highest amounts at the earlier stages. Five different glycolipids were found, all of which were identified as glycosphingolipids. An increase in the proportion of more complex glycolipids was noted as parasites grew older. Ten different phospholipids were identified, with the major components being phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylserine. Other phospholipids were: lysophosphatides, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidic acid, diphosphatidylglycerol, sphingomyelin, and an unknown phospholipid component. Changes in the relative amounts of the two major phospholipids were found when the early and late stages were compared. Two lipids found throughout development were identified as glycosylated dolichol phosphates, and they comprised between 1 and 3% of the total phospholipid fraction. Nineteen fatty acids were detected, and the fatty acid distribution for each lipid class at each stage was determined. Seven major fatty acids were common to each. These were: hexadecanoic, octadecanoic, oleic, linoleic, arachidonic, docosanoic, and docosahexaenoic.     

Environmental risk factors and their role in the management of atopic dermatitis

Introduction: The etiology of atopic dermatitis (AD) is multifactorial with interaction between genetics, immune and environmental factors.

Areas covered: We review the role of prenatal exposures, irritants and pruritogens, pathogens, climate factors, including temperature, humidity, ultraviolet radiation, outdoor and indoor air pollutants, tobacco smoke exposure, water hardness, urban vs. rural living, diet, breastfeeding, probiotics and prebiotics on AD.

Expert commentary: The increased global prevalence of AD cannot be attributed to genetics alone, suggesting that evolving environmental exposures may trigger and/or flare disease in predisposed individuals. There is a complex interplay between different environmental factors, including individual use of personal care products and exposure to climate, pollution, food and other exogenous factors. Understanding these complex risk factors is crucial to developing targeted interventions to prevent the disease in millions. Moreover, patients require counseling on optimal regimens for minimization of exposure to irritants and pruritogens and other harmful exposures.     

Simple Serological Assays for Detecting Rice Tungro Viruses

An attempt was made to produce sensitive and specific polyclonal antisera against the viruses causing rice tungro disease, and to assess their potential for use in simple diagnostic tests. Using a multiple, sequential injection procedure, seven batches of polyclonal antisera against rice tungro bacilliform virus (RTBV) and rice tungro spherical virus (RTSV) were produced. These were characterized for their sensitivity and specificity using ring-interface precipitin test and double antibody sandwich (DAS) ELISA. Thirty-one weeks after the first immunization, antiserum batch B6b for RTBV showed the highest ring interface titer (DEP = 1:1920). For RTSV, batches S3, S4b and S5b all had similar titres (DEP = 1:640). In DAS-ELISA, however, significant differences among purified antisera (IgG) batches were observed only at IgG dilution of 10^-3. At that dilution, IgGB4b showed the greatest sensitivity, while IgGS3 showed greatest sensitivity for RTSV. When all IgG batches were tested against 11 tungro field isolates (dual RTBV-RTSV infections) at sample dilution of 1:10, IgGB4b and IgGB6b for RTBV and IgGS3 and IgGS6b for RTSV performed equally well. However, after cross adsorption with healthy plant extracts in a specially prepared healthy plant-Sepharose affinity column, only IgGB6b could be used specifically to detect RTBV in a simple tissue-print assay.     

Is it worthy to take full-course immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis? About efficacy biomarker of allergen immunotherapy

Nowadays, people pay more attention to biomarkers that can predict clinical efficacy of immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis. As the only recognized aetiological treatment, the efficacy of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) has been proved by many studies. However, treatment success depends on compliance and persistence greatly, which can be impaired by the lengthy duration of AIT and socioeconomic status of patients. Besides, ineffectiveness is another factor that accounts for non-adherence. If the clinical efficacy can be predicted in the early stage of immunotherapy, it can help patients choose appropriate treatment plans, increase patient compliance and optimize the allocation of medical resources. This paper mainly focuses on five candidate biomarkers, the sIgE/tIgE ratio before treatment, serum inhibitory activity for IgE, decreased basophil activation, upregulation of Tregs and tolerogenic DCs, reviews the time when potential biomarkers can predict or monitor the efficacy of AIT, discusses the reason why these indicators could serve as efficacy biomarkers and interactions among potential biomarkers.     

Neurotransmitter signaling pathways required for normal development in Xenopus laevis embryos: a pharmacological survey screen

Neurotransmitters are not only involved in brain function but are also important signaling molecules for many diverse cell types. Neurotransmitters are widely conserved, from evolutionarily ancient organisms lacking nervous systems through man. Here, results are reported from a loss‐ and gain‐of‐function survey, using pharmacological modulators of several neurotransmitter pathways to examine possible roles for these pathways in normal embryogenesis. Applying reagents targeting the glutamatergic, adrenergic and dopaminergic pathways to embryos of Xenopus laevis from gastrulation to organogenesis stages, we observed and quantified numerous malformations, including craniofacial defects, hyperpigmentation, muscle mispatterning and miscoiling of the gut. These data implicate several key neurotransmitters in new embryonic patterning roles, reveal novel earlier stages for processes involved in eye development, suggest new targets for subsequent molecular‐genetic investigation, and highlight the necessity for in‐depth toxicology studies of psychoactive compounds to which human embryos might be exposed during pregnancy.     

HLA genes in Amerindians from Mexico San Vicente Tancuayalab Teenek/Huastecos

Huastecos or Teenek Amerindians are presently living at North East Mexico (San Luis Potosi State). They have probably one of the most ancient culture of Mexico and Central America together with Mayas and Olmec groups with which also show close relationships. Proximity to Atlantic Ocean/Mexican Gulf originated that Spaniards had very early contact with them at about 1519 CE or before. In the present paper we have aimed to study HLA gene profile which may be useful for HLA and disease epidemiology and transplant programs in Teeneks. HLA-DRB1*04:07, -DRB1*14:06 and -DRB1*04:11 have been found in high frequency like in other Amerindian groups. High frequency typical Amerindians HLA extended haplotypes have been found, such as A*02-B*35-DRB1*04:07-DQB1*03:02; A*68-B*39-DRB1*04:07-DQB1*03:02 and A*02-B*39-DRB1*04:07-DQB1*03:02; also new haplotypes have been described, like A*02-B*52-DRB1*04:11-DQB1*03:02, A*68-B*35-DRB1*14:02-DQB1*03:01 and A*68-B*40-DRB1*16:02-DQB1*03:01. Genetic proximity is observed not only to linguistically close Mayans, but also to Mazatecans, Mixtecans and Zapotecans, who speak an altogether different languages; it shows once more that genes and languages do not correlate. This population was greatly diminished after European contact between 1500 and 1600 years CE; in fact, North and South America First Inhabitants population was brought from 80 down to 8 million people because of diseases (i.e.: measles, smallpox or influenza), slavery and war.